"Hello! I’m Stefanos A., a professional percussionist-drummer, composer, and educator specializing in Middle-Eastern, Balkan, Mediterranean, North African percussion, and advanced jazz harmony. With over a decade of performance and teaching experience, I combine diverse cultural influences with electronic percussion and drum set elements into multi-percussion setups for ethnic, jazz fusion, and world music.

A Berklee College of Music graduate, I’ve learnt from distinguished musicians such as Jammey Haddad, Misirli Ahmet, Dave DiCenso, Mark Walker, John Patitucci, Victor Wooten and Tigran Hamasyan. I’ve played at festivals, jazz clubs, and orchestras worldwide and made 200+ recordings for artists, film and tv. In addition to performing, I’ve worked as a musical director, arranger, and instructor, offering lessons and workshops to students of all ages and skill levels.

All these experiences have shaped my approach to music and education. Music, at its core, is beautifully simple - it’s us who often overcomplicate it. While I consider technique an indispensable tool, it's just that - the means to express ourselves without limitation. Take jazz for example, it’s not about complex chords or abstract rhythms. The philosophy of jazz, from its rich history to the present, lies in its embrace of freedom: the freedom to follow your instincts, tell your story, and connect with others.

More than anything, I love helping students find their own musical voice and feel confident sharing it. I want them to enjoy the process, have fun, and see music as a way to express themselves." less...